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Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 18, 2019 (SKNIS): His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, who began a tour on March 17 of several Caribbean islands accompanied by his wife Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, will return after his visit some 46 years ago to Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of historical, cultural and architectural significance: a monument to the ingenuity of the British military engineers who designed it and to the skill, strength and endurance of the African slaves who built and maintained it. It is one of the best-preserved fortifications in the Americas.  

At Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, His Royal Highness will unveil a plaque with the following dates 1794, 1973, 2019, and the Queen’s Canopy will be placed in a permanent position. A plaque presentation of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, a project dedicated to the protection of indigenous forests above 1000 feet, was presented to His Royal Highness Prince Harry by His Excellency the Governor General Sir Tapley and unveiled by Prince Harry on November 23, 2016. The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy project was launched in 2015 when an appeal was made to all 53 Commonwealth nations to contribute areas of indigenous forest to be preserved in perpetuity to mark Her Majesty’s lifetime of service to the Commonwealth.

Their Royal Highnesses will also visit The Hermitage in Nevis, which is today a plantation inn that offers traditional island hospitality and lifestyle for up to 35 guests. The Hermitage has become a “must see” on the island of Nevis, which brags of original cuisine, reconstructed cottage rooms, collection of antiques, old-fashioned gardens, horses, carriages and local crafts and arts. Before it was transformed into a plantation inn, the Hermitage was a great house built sometime between 1670 and 1740. It is said to be the oldest house in Nevis, and the oldest surviving wooden house in the Caribbean according to Jack Bertholet, author of the 1984 book, CARIBBEAN STYLE, who declared that in twenty years of studying Caribbean architecture from Suriname to Cuba, he had never found an older wooden house.  

Their Royal Highnesses will pay a visit to the Berkeley Memorial and the National Museum in downtown Basseterre. They will also attend Receptions on both Islands for members of the community, which will feature local music and culture.

When Their Royal Highnesses arrive at the Sir Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw (RLB) International Airport on March 21, they will be welcomed and greeted by His Excellency the Governor General of St. Kitts and Nevis, Sir S.W. Tapley Seaton GCMG, CVO, QC, JP. Their Royal Highnesses will be presented to the Cabinet of Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris.  

A ceremonial Guard of Honour will be mounted at the RLB International Airport for the arrival of and the departure of His Royal Highness. The Guard of Honour for the arrival and the departure of the Prince of Wales will be drawn from the infantry and maritime units of the St. Kitts Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF) and officers of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF).   

The Royal Tour began March 17^th in Saint Lucia. It then moves on to Barbados March 19^th, followed by St. Vincent and the Grenadines on 20^th March and Grenada on the 23^rd March. On 24^th March Their Royal Highnesses will visit Cuba and the tour culminates in the Cayman Islands on March 27^th.

According to the communique from Clarence House “Their Royal Highnesses’ visit to Saint Lucia, Barbados, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis and Grenada will celebrate the Monarchy’s relationship with these Commonwealth Realms. Furthermore, at the request of the British Government, Their Royal Highnesses will also visit Cuba to highlight the growing bilateral relationship with the UK and showcase some of the cultural links between the two countries. Their Royal Highnesses will also visit the British Territory of the Cayman Islands to celebrate its place within the British family.”

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, is the heir apparent to the British throne as the eldest child of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.